manning@chariot.net.auCitizenship and geographyWay back in October 2011 there was a Spatialworlds posting on the concept of 'spatial citizenship' and the importance of the study of geography in the curriculum. In essence the posting highlighted that, "because of the power of spatial thinking and pervasiveness of spatial
technology in our society in the 21st Century it is in beholden upon
education to ensure that young people are fully aware of and skilled in
the way of spatial thinking and the use of technology which can impact greatly upon them as citizens".

With the implementation this year of the Australian Curriculum: Civics and Citizenship I thought it opportune to revisit the relationship between geography and citizenship. In fact, the fifth aim of the Australian Curriculum: Geography is to develop students as:... informed, responsible and active citizens who can contribute to the
development of an environmentally and economically sustainable, and
socially just world.With this thinking in mind, The Australian Geography Teachers Association (AGTA) has produced a resource for schools called "Being a Citizen". The resources provides copious links and teaching materials to support the teaching of the Australian Curriculum: Civics and Citizenship. Just as is the case with the Geography curriculum, seven concepts can be identified as the basis of Civics and Citizenship thinking. Geographers viewing this concept wheel can see that much of the discussional and inquiry work we do when investigating various geographical issues certainly resonates with the key concepts from the civics and citizenship subject. Whilst a work in progress and not official ACARA work, teachers are finding that the concept wheel below is an interesting way to conceptualise the Australian Curriculum: Civics and Citizenship as they develop their learning programs.

Copyright: Malcolm McInerney 2015

The 'Being a Citizen' CD includes materials on;

Links to civics and citizenship
teaching materials.

Political mapping classroom
activities.

Social Issues worksheets and
processes.

Links to curriculum documents and
teaching materials on civics and citizenship.

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Who am I?

I have taught history, geography and civics and citizenship in the South Australian education system since 1976. I have been actively involved in the promotion of geography and history over the years, in particular the use of spatial technology in schools. I am a Past Chair of the Australian Geography Teachers' Association (Chair 2008-13) and Immediate Past President of the Australian Alliance of Associations in Education (2013-present). During the development of the Australian Curriculum: Geography I was a member of the ACARA Advisory Panel (2009-2013) and Executive Director of the ESA GeogSpace project. From 2007-2011 and in 2015 I was the Manager for the Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) in the South Australian Department for Education and Child Development (DECD). Presently I am a Teaching Academic in HaSS Education at the University of South Australia and the Manager for the Premier's ANZAC Spirit School Prize in DECD.